Flow and pressure stabilization systems, methods, and devices

ABSTRACT

A flow and pressure stabilization device comprises a housing; a first fluid chamber; a gas chamber; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with a fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of PCT Application No.PCT/US2017/064342, titled FLOW AND PRESSURE STABILIZATION SYSTEMS,METHODS, AND DEVICES, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/430,228, titled FLOW AND PRESSURESTABILIZATION SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES, filed on Dec. 5, 2016. Eachof the foregoing applications is hereby incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure generally relates to systems, methods, and devices forstabilizing fluid flow and pressure in fluid piping systems.

Description

Hydraulic systems, such as fluid piping systems, are used to transportfluid under pressure in various applications. One example is a chemicaldosing application where chemicals are introduced into a fluid flowstream. For example, in a water treatment plant, one or more chemicalsmay be introduced into a water supply stream to sanitize the water forconsumption or to otherwise make the water suitable for a particularpurpose. It can be important to control the amount of chemical beingintroduced into a fluid stream, and thus some chemical dosing systemsutilize metering pumps. One disadvantage of metering pumps, however, isthat they tend to produce a pulsed output that can lead to instabilityin the fluid flow and/or less predictability in the chemical output.

SUMMARY

The disclosure herein provides various embodiments of flow and pressurestabilization systems, methods, and devices. In some embodiments, a flowand pressure stabilization device provides stabilization to a fluid pumpand piping system by, among other things, reducing, dampening, and/orabsorbing pulsations in fluid flow, maintaining upstream pressure, andincreasing linearity of a downstream flow, enabling optimum systemperformance. In some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilizationsystem comprises a flow control button, plunger, needle, and/or the likecomprising an outer profile shaped to cooperate with a fluid port suchthat an effective fluid passage size through the fluid port is changedbased on a relative position of the flow control button with respect tothe fluid port. The change in effective fluid passage size can, amongother things, create a variable restriction or obstruction to fluidflow, enabling relatively fine control of upstream and/or downstreampressure and/or flow. In some embodiments, the flow control button iscoupled to a diaphragm positioned to sense upstream and/or downstreampressure (e.g., to deform in response to a fluid pressure on one side ofthe diaphragm working against a spring load and/or pressure on anopposite side of the diaphragm), and the relative position of the flowcontrol button with respect to the fluid port changes based at leastpartially on a level of fluid pressure applied to the diaphragm. In someembodiments, pulsations in fluid flow can be configured to be reduced,dampened, and/or absorbed by a gas chamber positioned adjacent thediaphragm and/or a separate deformable separator (e.g., diaphragm,bladder, bellows, membrane, and/or the like).

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; afirst fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet; a gas chamber within the housing; a deformable bladderthat separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at leastpartially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluidchamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the firstfluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluidcommunication with the fluid outlet and the second fluid chamber, thevariable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication withthe fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluidport, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the secondfluid chamber; and an outflow control button (e.g., plunger, restrictor,bullet, protruding member, and/or the like) coupled to the diaphragm andextending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow controlbutton comprising an at least partially tapered surface, the outflowcontrol button being translatable with respect to the fluid port,wherein the diaphragm of the variable flow valve is configured such thatan increase in pressure within the second fluid chamber can cause thediaphragm to deform and the outflow control button to translate withrespect to the fluid port, causing a clearance between the at leastpartially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an innersurface of the fluid port to change.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a first end and a second end,the second end being opposite the first end, wherein the bladder ispositioned such that an increase in pressure in the first fluid chamberwill tend to cause the bladder to deform toward the first end, andwherein the diaphragm is positioned such than an increase in pressure inthe second fluid chamber will tend to cause the diaphragm to deformtoward the second end. In some embodiments, the bladder and thediaphragm are concentrically aligned along a longitudinal axis of thehousing. In some embodiments, the at least partially tapered surface ofthe outflow control button is an outer surface of the outflow controlbutton. In some embodiments, the outflow control button comprises acylindrical outer surface, and the at least partially tapered surface ofthe outflow control button is within a groove of the outflow controlbutton. In some embodiments, the fluid passage comprises a length thatis no greater than an outer diameter of the housing. In someembodiments, the fluid passage comprises a length that is no greaterthan a diameter of the first fluid chamber. In some embodiments, thefluid passage comprises a length that is no greater than two times adiameter of the first fluid chamber. In some embodiments, the variableflow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein a laterallyextending annular surface of the outflow control button is in contactwith an annular shaped face of the fluid port. In some embodiments, thevariable flow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein thediaphragm is in contact with an annular shaped face of the fluid port.In some embodiments, the variable flow valve further comprises a springconfigured to bias the diaphragm toward the fluid port.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; afluid port in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and fluid outlet;a plunger (e.g., button, restrictor, bullet, protruding member, and/orthe like) translatable with respect to the fluid port, the plungerhaving an at least partially non-constant outer profile (e.g.,comprising one or more of a taper, curve, step, groove, slot, flatand/or the like) configured to cause a clearance between an outersurface of the plunger and an inner surface of the fluid port to changewith translation of the plunger with respect to the fluid port, whereinthe plunger is biased in a direction toward the fluid port; a fluidchamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid port;and a diaphragm coupled to the plunger and at least partially definingthe fluid chamber, wherein the diaphragm is deformable to change avolume of the fluid chamber.

In some embodiments, the plunger is biased in the direction toward thefluid port at least partially by a mechanical spring. In someembodiments, the flow and pressure stabilization device furthercomprises a gas chamber in fluid communication with the diaphragm andpositioned such that deformation of the diaphragm that increases avolume of the fluid chamber will decrease a volume of the gas chamber,wherein the plunger is biased in the direction toward the fluid port atleast partially by a gas pressure in the gas chamber. In someembodiments, the profile of the plunger comprises at least two taperedsections having different taper angles. In some embodiments, the profileof the plunger comprises at least one non-tapered section adjacent atapered section.

According to some embodiments, an interchangeable outflow control buttonassembly for use in a flow and pressure stabilization device comprises:a diaphragm comprising a resilient material, the diaphragm comprising adeformable central portion and an annular sealing portion, the annularsealing portion extending about a periphery of the diaphragm anddefining a transverse plane; and an outflow control button coupled toand extending from a center of the deformable central portion of thediaphragm, the outflow control button comprising a longitudinal axisoriented perpendicular to the transverse plane, wherein the outflowcontrol button comprises an at least partially tapered surface, andwherein the diaphragm and outflow control button are sized and shaped tobe installable into a valve housing comprising a diaphragm seat and afluid port, the outflow control button configured to be positioned atleast partially through the fluid port and to be translatable withrespect to the fluid port to change an amount of clearance between anouter surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of thefluid port.

In some embodiments, the at least partially tapered surface of theoutflow control button is an outer surface of the outflow controlbutton. In some embodiments, the outflow control button comprises acylindrical outer surface, and the at least partially tapered surface ofthe outflow control button is within a groove of the outflow controlbutton. In some embodiments, the outflow control button comprises a basehaving a laterally extending annular shaped portion shaped to abut aface of the fluid port in a closed position.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; afluid port positioned within the housing and in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and an outflow control buttonpositioned at least partially through the fluid port to restrict fluidfrom flowing through the fluid port, wherein the outflow control buttoncomprises an at least partially tapered shape, wherein the outflowcontrol button is translatable with respect to the fluid port, andwherein the outflow control button is positioned with respect to thefluid port such that translation of the outflow control button withrespect to the fluid port will change an amount of clearance between anouter surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of thefluid port.

In some embodiments, the outflow control button is biased in a directionthat tends to close the fluid port. In some embodiments, the outflowcontrol button is biased at least partially by a mechanical spring. Insome embodiments, the flow and pressure stabilization device furthercomprises: a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the fluid port; adeformable separator (e.g., diaphragm, bladder, bellows, membrane,and/or the like) at least partially defining a volume of the fluidchamber; and a gas chamber in fluid communication with the deformableseparator and positioned such that deformation of the deformableseparator that increases a volume of the fluid chamber will decrease avolume of the gas chamber. In some embodiments, the outflow controlbutton is biased, in a direction that tends to close the fluid port, atleast partially by a gas pressure in the gas chamber. In someembodiments, a profile of the outflow control button comprises at leastone tapered portion. In some embodiments, the profile of the outflowcontrol button further comprises at least one non-tapered portion. Insome embodiments, a profile of the outflow control button comprises atleast two tapered portions having different taper angles.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a diaphragm comprising a resilient material; and an outflowcontrol button coupled to the diaphragm, the outflow control buttoncomprising an at least partially tapered shape, wherein the diaphragmand outflow control button are sized and shaped to be installable into abackpressure valve housing comprising a diaphragm seat and a fluid port,the outflow control button configured to be positioned at leastpartially through the fluid port and to be translatable with respect tothe fluid port to change an amount of clearance between an outer surfaceof the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; adampener positioned within the housing and in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet, the dampener comprising a variable volume fluid chamberdefined at least partially by a bladder; and a back pressure valvepositioned within the housing and in fluid communication with thedampener and the fluid outlet, the back pressure valve comprising aspring configured to apply a preload force to retain the back pressurevalve in a closed position until a pressure is applied to the backpressure valve that overcomes the preload force.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; adampener positioned within the housing and in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet, the dampener comprising a variable volume fluid chamberdefined at least partially by a bladder; and a back pressure valvepositioned within the housing and in fluid communication with thedampener and the fluid outlet, the back pressure valve comprising afluid port having an outflow control button positioned at leastpartially therethrough to restrict fluid from flowing through the fluidport, wherein the outflow control button comprises an at least partiallytapered shape, wherein the outflow control button is translatable withrespect to the fluid port, and wherein the outflow control button ispositioned with respect to the fluid port such that translation of theoutflow control button with respect to the fluid port will change anamount of clearance between an outer surface of the outflow controlbutton and an inner surface of the fluid port.

According to some embodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; afluid port positioned within the housing and in fluid communication withthe fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and a flow restrictor positioned atleast partially through the fluid port to restrict fluid from flowingthrough the fluid port, wherein the flow restrictor comprises atransverse width that varies along at least a portion of the flowrestrictor's longitudinal length, wherein the flow restrictor istranslatable with respect to the fluid port in a longitudinal direction,and wherein the flow restrictor is positioned with respect to the fluidport such that translation of the flow restrictor with respect to thefluid port will change an amount of clearance between a surface of theoutflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port.

In some embodiments, the flow restrictor is biased in a direction thattends to close the fluid port. In some embodiments, the flow restrictoris biased at least partially by a mechanical spring. In someembodiments, the flow and pressure stabilization device furthercomprises: a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the fluid port; adiaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the fluid chamber; anda gas chamber in fluid communication with the diaphragm and positionedsuch that deformation of the diaphragm that increases a volume of thefluid chamber will decrease a volume of the gas chamber. In someembodiments, the flow restrictor is biased, in a direction that tends toclose the fluid port, at least partially by a gas pressure in the gaschamber. In some embodiments, a profile of the flow restrictor comprisesat least one tapered, curved, slotted, grooved, or stepped portion. Insome embodiments, the profile of the flow restrictor further comprisesat least one non-tapered portion. In some embodiments, a profile of theflow restrictor comprises at least two tapered portions having differenttaper angles.

For purposes of this summary, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures of the inventions are described herein. It is to be understoodthat not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordancewith any particular embodiment of the inventions. Thus, for example,those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventions may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or groupof advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawingsof various embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not tolimit the disclosure. The features of some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, which are believed to be novel, will be more fully disclosedin the following detailed description. The following detaileddescription may best be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein the same numbers in different drawings represents thesame parts. All drawings are schematic and are not intended to show anydimension to scale. The drawings comprise the following figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a chemical dosingsystem that comprises a fluid and pressure stabilization device.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a flow and pressure stabilizationdevice.

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is another section view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 2E and 2F illustrate an outflow control button of the flow andpressure stabilization device of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 2G-2I illustrate changes in a port opening area based on movementof the outflow control button of the flow and pressure stabilizationdevice of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 2J and 2K illustrate an outflow control button and diaphragmassembly of the flow and pressure stabilization device of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 illustrates a chart showing results of testing a flow andpressure stabilization device.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of an outflow control button.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of an outflow control button.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate another embodiment of an outflow control button.

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of another embodiment of a flow andpressure stabilization device.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, showing the sectionlocation of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 6E is another section view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of another embodiment of a flow andpressure stabilization device.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a section view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A, showing the sectionlocation of FIG. 7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrations are disclosedbelow, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthe inventions described herein extend beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments, examples, and illustrations and include other uses of theinventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof.Embodiments of the inventions are described with reference to theaccompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. These drawings are considered to be a part of the entiredescription of some embodiments of the inventions. The terminology usedin the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted inany limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used inconjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodimentsof the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions cancomprise several novel features and no single feature is solelyresponsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicingthe inventions herein described.

The disclosure herein presents various embodiments of fluid flow andpressure stabilization devices, methods, and systems. In someembodiments, a fluid flow and pressure stabilization device as disclosedherein is configured to reduce and/or absorb pulsations in fluid flow,maintain upstream pressure, and/or increase linearity of a downstreamflow, enabling optimum system performance.

Fluid Flow and Pressure Stabilization System

FIG. 1 illustrates an example use case of a fluid flow and pressurestabilization device. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematicdiagram of an embodiment of a fluid flow and pressure stabilizationsystem 101. In this embodiment, the fluid flow and pressurestabilization system 101 comprises a chemical dosing system that isconfigured to introduce precise amounts of a chemical, such as chlorineor the like, into a water stream to sanitize the water flowingtherethrough. The system 101 comprises a chemical storage tank 104, ametering pump 102, a flow and pressure stabilization device 100, and awater line 106. These components of the system are fluidly connected viapiping 116. In use, the metering pump 102 operates to receive a fluidfrom the chemical storage tank 104 at inlet 108 and to output that fluidat outlet 110.

The fluid output from the metering pump at outlet 110 will be arelatively unstable flow due to, among other things, the pulsing natureof the metering pump 102. Accordingly, it can be desirable to pass thefluid flow through the flow and pressure stabilization device 100 tostabilize the fluid flow prior to injecting the fluid into the waterline 106. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fluid flows from the outlet 110of the metering pump 102 to the inlet 112 of the flow and pressurestabilization device 100. The fluid then flows from the outlet 114 ofthe flow and pressure stabilization device 100 into the water line 106via injection point 116.

It should be noted that the diagram illustrated in FIG. 1 is asimplified schematic diagram of one example embodiment of a fluid flowand pressure stabilization system, to show one example context of how aflow and pressure stabilization device may be used. Other fluid systemsmay take other forms and/or include additional components. Further, theflow and pressure stabilization devices disclosed herein are not limitedto being used in a chemical dosing system and/or with metering pumps.The fluid flow and pressure stabilization devices disclosed herein canbe used in any hydraulic or fluid piping system wherein a more stableand/or linear flow is desirable.

The flow and pressure stabilization device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may takevarious forms. For example, any of the flow and pressure stabilizationdevices described herein and/or illustrated in more detail in otherfigures included herewith may be used as the flow and pressurestabilization device 100 in the system 101. Specific non-limitingexamples of such fluid flow and pressure stabilization devices are givenbelow with reference to flow and pressure stabilization devices 200,600, and 700.

Example Features and Benefits of Fluid Flow and Pressure StabilizationDevices

Various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can enable benefitssuch as reducing and/or absorbing pulsations in fluid flow, maintainingupstream pressure, and/or increasing linearity of a downstream flow (forexample, as shown in the chart of FIG. 3, described below). For example,some embodiments disclosed herein comprise a variable flow valve thatcomprises a variable flow restrictor or obstructer (e.g., a flow controlbutton, plunger, needle, and/or the like) comprising an outer profileshaped to cooperate with a fluid port of the variable flow valve suchthat an effective fluid passage size through the fluid port is changedbased on a relative position of the variable flow restrictor withrespect to the fluid port. In some embodiments, the flow restrictor iscoupled to a diaphragm positioned to sense upstream and/or downstreampressure (e.g., to deform in response to a fluid pressure on one side ofthe diaphragm working against a spring load and/or pressure on anopposite side of the diaphragm), and the relative position of the flowrestrictor with respect to the fluid port changes based at leastpartially on a level of fluid pressure applied to the diaphragm. Such avariable flow restrictor enables relatively fine control of downstreampressure. Further, pulsations in fluid flow can be configured to beabsorbed by a bladder that separates a gas chamber from a fluid chamberthat is in fluid communication with the fluid port. In some embodiments,the bladder is part of the diaphragm that is coupled to the flowrestrictor. In some embodiments, the bladder is separate from thediaphragm that is coupled to the flow restrictor. In some embodiments,the diaphragm and the bladder are configured to each provide at least aportion of the pulsation dampening performed by the fluid pressure andstabilization device. For example, because some embodiments include thediaphragm and bladder in relatively close proximity (e.g., within thesame housing), with the diaphragm and bladder being fluidly coupled inparallel with a fluid inlet of the fluid pressure and stabilizationdevice (as opposed to in series), pulsations entering the fluid pressureand stabilization device may cause corresponding deformations to boththe bladder and the diaphragm to deform, enabling each of thosecomponents to perform at least some pulsation dampening.

In some embodiments, a fluid flow and pressure stabilization devicecomprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, with afluid flow path therebetween. The device further comprises twodeformable members that are configured to deform in response to pressureand/or pulses in the fluid flow through the device. In some embodiments,the two deformable members are positioned at opposite ends of the deviceand concentrically aligned (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2C). In someembodiments, each of the two deformable members is sealed within thehousing such that each of the deformable members separates a fluidchamber that is in the fluid flow path from a second chamber thatprovides a biasing force that biases each of the deformable members in adirection that tends to make the corresponding fluid chamber have asmaller volume. In various embodiments, this biasing force may beproduced in various ways. For example, the biasing force may begenerated by a gas chamber that is charged with a pressurizedcompressible gas. As another example, the biasing force may be generatedusing mechanical means, such as with a spring that is configured to havea preload force against the deformable member. In some embodiments, acombination of mechanical methods, such as one or more springs, andpressurized gas are used to bias one or both of the deformable members.In some embodiments, one of the deformable members comprises a diaphragm(e.g., a relatively thin flexible membrane that may comprise asubstantially flat disc shape in some embodiments, or may not besubstantially flat in some embodiments), and the other of the deformablemembers comprises a bladder (e.g., an inflatable sack or chamber that isnot a substantially flat shape). For example, with reference to FIG. 2Cfurther described below, the flow and pressure stabilization device 200comprises an upper bladder (e.g., deformable member 238) and a lowerdiaphragm (e.g., deformable member 228). One reason having thesedifferent shapes can be desirable is that that the two deformablemembers can provide different and/or complementary functionalities(although they may also both perform some of the same functionalities,but to varying degrees). For example in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2C, the lower deformable member 228 has an outflow control button226 coupled thereto. Deformation of the lower deformable member 228desirably results in a translational movement of the outflow controlbutton 226 with respect to a fluid port 250. By using a diaphragm forthe lower deformable member 228, the translational movement of theoutflow control button 226 can desirably be more precisely controlled.On the other hand, it can be desirable to use a bladder for the upperdeformable member 238, to allow for a greater increase in volume of thefluid chamber 242 in response to pulsations in the fluid pressure thanmight be available if the upper deformable member 238 were flat.

It can be desirable in some embodiments for the upper and lowerdeformable members (e.g., the upper and lower deformable members 238,228 of FIG. 2C) to be coaxially aligned and positioned at opposite endsof a housing, with the fluid inlets and outlets 112, 114 positionedbetween the two deformable members because this can, among other things,reduce or minimize the distance between the upper fluid chamber 242 andlower fluid chamber 248 (e.g., the length of fluid passage 246 of FIG.2D). Reducing or minimizing this distance can enable more efficient andeffective smoothing of an irregular fluid flow. One reason for this isthat the relatively small distance between the upper and lower fluidchambers 242, 248 can help to reduce or eliminate transient waves in thefluid flow between these two chambers. Although it can be desirable tohave the two deformable members be coaxially aligned, they do notnecessarily have to be coaxially aligned. Having them be coaxiallyaligned can, however, help to make the assembly process easier and/or toreduce the cost to manufacture a fluid flow and pressure stabilizationdevice as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment of a fluid flow and pressurestabilization device 700 illustrated in FIG. 7C, the second deformablemember can be eliminated, with the outflow control button being coupledto the single deformable member 738 instead of a second separatedeformable member. In such an embodiment, there is no second fluidchamber, so the connection between the first and second fluid chambersis also eliminated.

Fluid flow and pressure stabilization devices as disclosed herein can beused in fluid piping systems as one component that absorbs pulses influid flow and also helps to maintain consistent or linear fluidpressures and/or flow rates. Fluid piping systems may be affected byfluid pulsations, mechanical vibrations, water hammer, and residual“noise” in the fluid generated by multiple transient waves within thefluid as it moves through the system. Devices disclosed herein canprotect the fluid piping system components by absorbing this energy andproviding a smoother flow of fluid into the system. Further, a variableflow valve included in some of the embodiments disclosed herein canprovide constant pressure (and/or more consistent pressure) in thesystem for all components upstream to the pump discharge (e.g., anycomponents between the outlet 110 of the metering pump 102 and avariable flow valve of the flow and pressure stabilization device 100 ofFIG. 1). This ensures that the pump check valves close properly and thatall other affected components can be accurately calibrated and operatingper system requirements.

In some embodiments, a variable flow valve comprises a flow controlbutton, plunger, needle, and/or the like comprising an outer profileshaped to cooperate with a fluid port such that an effective fluidpassage size through the fluid port is changed based on a relativeposition of the flow control button with respect to the fluid port. Insome embodiments, the flow control button is coupled to a diaphragm, andthe relative position of the flow control button with respect to thefluid port changes based at least partially on a level of fluid pressureapplied to the diaphragm. In some embodiments, the diaphragm is alsoused as a pulsation dampener. In some embodiments, a separate diaphragmis used as a pulsation dampener.

The various valves used in embodiments disclosed herein can utilize apreload or set point that calibrates the valve to at least partiallydefine a relationship between fluid pressure on the valve's diaphragmand a position of the valve (e.g., open, closed, or somewhere inbetween). Such a preload can be set by, for example, using a preloadspring of a certain length and/or spring rate, compressing or tensioningthe preload spring by a certain amount, adjusting a pressure in a gaschamber, and/or the like. The set point for the adjustment is desirablycalibrated so that the valve does not close completely (which would cutoff flow to the system), but will remain open to allow the process fluidto move from point to point. The opening and closing action of the valvecan also produce additional transient pressure waves (pressure spikes or“water hammer”) in the fluid, which can lead to operational issues withdownstream equipment, if the transient pressure waves are significantenough. Embodiments that include a variable flow restrictor as disclosedherein (e.g., an outflow control button or the like) can reduce oreliminate such pressure waves by enabling a smoother transition betweenopen and closed positions of the valve.

Various embodiments disclosed herein can include a deformable separator(e.g., diaphragm, bladder, bellows, membrane, and/or the like)separating a fluid chamber from a gas chamber charged with gas (e.g.,air, nitrogen, and/or the like) to cushion against the pulse of fluidentering the fluid chamber. The gas charge can be set to be automaticbased on system pressure fluctuations, manually adjustable or constant.If constant, the gas chamber is charged to a set pressure that isdesirably a fraction of the fluid pressure expected in the pipingsystem. A valve (e.g., the various variable flow valves disclosedherein) pressurizes the components in the line (downstream of the pump)to allow the fluid and gas chambers to absorb pulsations of flow thatare in the range of pressure that the gas chamber is charged to. Withoutthe valve to maintain the pressure, then the gas chamber could berendered less effective with handling pulses of flow, and the downstreamflow could still contain pulsations (or greater pulsations thandesired).

Embodiments disclosed herein that include pulsation absorbing andpressure control functionality provide a user with more control of thesystem and more effective operation of the pump piping system. In someembodiments, a flow and pressure stabilization device as disclosedherein comprises a pulsation dampening or absorption section (e.g., abladder separating gas and fluid chambers) and a pressure controlsection (e.g., a variable flow valve). The device is connected to afluid piping system, where the fluid enters the pulsation dampeningsection, then passes to the pressure control section, then exits to thedownstream piping system. The dampening section absorbs the energy fromthe pulsations generated by operation of the pump(s), valve(s) and/orother component(s) that can generate a transient wave, water hammer, orpulse in the piping. The pressure control section provides resistanceagainst the dampening section so that fluid can be moved in uniformmanner through the system. The result is a more linear instantaneousflow that is uniform enough to allow for downstream devices such as flowmeters and pressure relief valves to operate more safely andeffectively. Although this embodiment is described as having separatepulsation dampening and pressure control sections, some embodiments, asdescribed below, combine the pulsation dampening and pressure controlfunctions into a single section or assembly.

As one application example, in chemical dosing systems, the meteringpump used typically has a high pulsation on each stroke of the pump. Byreducing this pulse as close to the source as possible, the downstreamequipment will see a more precise, even flow of the fluid. Improving theaccuracy of dosing a chemical into a process stream allows the chemicalto be more effective by being more evenly distributed, and may result inless waste of chemicals. One reason for this is that, when pulsationsare present in a chemical dosing fluid flow, a higher dose orconcentration than desired may be introduced into the system at the peakof a pulse, and a lower dose or concentration than desired may beintroduced into the system at a valley in the pulse. The more the flowcan be stabilized, (e.g., by reducing these peaks and valleys), the moreconstant the chemical dose or concentration can be. The flow meters canoperate more easily, allowing for safer and more effective addition ofchemicals to a process. Further, the pressure relief valves can operatemore effectively with less chance of relieving pressure to atmosphere ora collection point. These areas can be expensive to maintain or fix ifthere are fluctuations in the flow that are beyond the capabilities ofthe devices.

In some embodiments, the shape of the device is cylindrical, and can bemounted in any direction. In other embodiments, the shape of the devicecan be any other shape, as long as the functions described herein can beachieved. The connection piping can be achieved by typical connectorsused in fluid piping systems, for example, pipe threads, unions,flanges, and/or the like.

Various embodiments disclosed herein incorporate features that enablethe device to reduce, absorb, and/or dampen pulsations in fluid flow.Various embodiments can perform such pulsation dampening functions inthe various ways. Several of the embodiments described below, withreference to the figures, dampen pulsations by using a deformableseparator (e.g., diaphragm, bladder, bellows, membrane, and/or the like)that separates a fluid chamber from a gas chamber. The gas chamber ischarged to a certain pressure, either a set pressure or a variablepressure, and pulsations are dampened by allowing the deformable memberto deform and rebound in response to pulsations, dynamically changingthe relative volumes of the gas chamber and fluid chamber. It should benoted that the terms diaphragm, bellows, bladder, and membrane, whenused herein in reference to a pulsation dampening function, are usedinterchangeably to refer to an at least partially deformable member orseparator, (e.g., comprising a rubber, thermoplastic material,elastically flexible metal, and/or the like), that can be used toreduce, absorb, and/or dampen pulsations in fluid flow. Although variousembodiments disclosed herein are described with reference to dampeningpulsations using a deformable member and gas chamber type system, othertechniques for pulsation dampening may be used with the techniquesdisclosed herein. For example, piston style pulsation dampening may beincorporated into any of the embodiments disclosed herein and any otherembodiments that utilize one or more of the techniques disclosed herein.

Further, various embodiments disclosed herein include a valve comprisinga flow restrictor that fits at least partially through a fluid port andis translatable with respect to the fluid port to cause variance of across-sectional flow area between the flow restrictor and fluid port.Such a flow restrictor may be referred to herein as, for example, aplunger, button, bullet, needle, pin, protruding member, and/or thelike, with such terms being used interchangeably. In some embodiments,such a flow restrictor can be designed in various ways to producevarying cross-sectional flow area as the flow restrictor translates withrespect to the fluid port. For example, the flow restrictor may in someembodiments comprise an outer profile or surface that comprises one ormore of a taper, rounded portion, flat, slot, groove, radiused area,hole or orifice that leads to a fluid flow passage, stepped area,chamfer, and/or the like. Further, although various embodimentsdescribed herein describe the flow restrictor as being coupled to adiaphragm, the same or similar techniques may be used in other types ofmechanisms or valves for controlling pressure and/or flow. For example,such a flow restrictor may be coupled to a piston that translates withrespect to the fluid port instead of a diaphragm that flexes orotherwise moves with respect to the fluid port.

Flow and Pressure Stabilization Device Embodiment

FIGS. 2A-2K illustrate one embodiment of a flow and pressurestabilization device 200. FIG. 2A is an assembled view, FIG. 2B is anexploded view, and FIGS. 2C and 2D are cross-sectional views of the flowand pressure stabilization device 200. FIGS. 2E and 2F are detail viewsshowing details of an outflow control button 226. FIGS. 2G-2I illustratechanges in an opening area with movement of the outflow control button226. FIGS. 2J and 2K illustrate the outflow control button 226 coupledto a diaphragm 228. With reference to FIGS. 2C and 2D, the housingcomprises a top body 222, a middle body 220, and a lower body 224, withthe middle body 220 comprising a fluid inlet 112 and a fluid outlet 114(although other arrangements are possible). In this embodiment, the topbody 222 is attached to the middle body 220 via a threaded connection.The top body 222 and middle body 220 when assembled together capture asealing portion or outer peripheral edge of a deformable separator 238,thus separating an inner chamber created by the top body 222 and middlebody 220 into an upper or gas chamber 244 and a lower or fluid chamber242.

In this embodiment, the bottom body 224 is also coupled to the middlebody 220 via a threaded joint. Similar to the top body 222 and middlebody 220 junction, when the bottom body 224 and middle body 220 arecoupled together, a diaphragm seat 287 seals against an outer portion,sealing portion, or bead portion 282 (see FIG. 2J) of a deformablemember or diaphragm 228 that separates a fluid chamber 248 above thediaphragm 228 from an area below the diaphragm 228. In this embodiment,an o-ring 229 is positioned between the bottom body 224 and the sealingportion 282 of the diaphragm 228, to aid in generating a liquid and/orairtight seal. In some embodiments, other techniques may be used tocreate a liquid and/or airtight seal. For example, the o-ring 229 may bepositioned between the sealing portion 282 of the diaphragm 228 and themiddle body 220. As another example, instead of the sealing portion 282comprising a substantially flat upper and lower surface, the sealingportion 282 may comprise one or more annular protrusions, beads, and/orthe like protruding from the top and/or bottom surface that areconfigured to seal against a flat and/or grooved surface of the middlebody 220 and/or bottom body 224. With reference to FIG. 2J, thediaphragm 228 desirably comprises an outer sealing portion 282 and adeformable central region 280. The central region 280 is configured tosense upstream and/or downstream pressure (e.g., to deform in responseto a fluid pressure on one side of the diaphragm working against theelasticity of the diaphragm and/or a spring load and/or gas pressure onan opposite side of the diaphragm). In this embodiment, the diaphragm228 comprises an outflow control button 226 coupled to the deformablecentral region 280, with at least a portion of the deformable region 280extending laterally beyond the lateral outer edge of the base of theoutflow control button 226. The outflow control button 226 may bepermanently or removably coupled to the diaphragm 228 in various ways,such as adhered with an adhesive, attached using one or more fasteners,insert molded, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the deformablecentral region 280 of the diaphragm 228 comprises a substantially flatdisc shape in a relaxed state. In some embodiments, however, thedeformable central region 280 may comprise relaxed state shape that isnot substantially flat, such as a design that includes one or more ribs,bellows, an accordion-type design, and/or the like.

The outflow control button 226 (e.g., plunger, needle, bullet,protruding member, and/or the like) is positioned through a fluid port250 and configured to at least partially regulate fluid flow through thefluid port 250 by translating with respect to the fluid port 250. Thecombination of the diaphragm 228, outflow control button 226, and fluidport 250 forms a variable flow valve 252. In this embodiment, thediaphragm 228 comprises a substantially flat outer sealing portion 282defining a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 284 of thehousing or middle body 220. The outflow control button 226 protrudesfrom the diaphragm 228 in a direction wherein a longitudinal axis of theoutflow control button 226 is in a parallel and/or coaxial alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of the housing or middle body 220 (and thusperpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm 228).

In operation, fluid desirably follows flow path 240. As the flow entersthe device through the inlet 112 of the middle body 220, it flows intofluid chamber 242, which is bounded by an internal cavity of the middlebody 220 and deformable separator 238 (e.g., diaphragm, bladder,bellows, membrane, and/or the like). The deformable separator 238separates the fluid chamber 242 from a gas chamber 244 that is desirablycharged with gas (such air, nitrogen, and/or the like). The gas chamber244 is bounded by an internal cavity of the top body 222 and thedeformable separator 238. The gas pressure is set through a fill valve245, and desirably the pressure is set to a level that minimizespulsations in the fluid passing through the device. Gas pressure chargeis desirably set to a value less than the system pressure, which willallow the device to dampen pulsations effectively.

The flow 240 then passes through passage 246 (shown in FIG. 2D), whichconnects the upper fluid chamber 242 to lower fluid chamber 248. Theflow then contacts the diaphragm 228 and/or control button 226, whichare desirably biased toward a closed orientation with respect to outflowport 250 (but can move away from the closed orientation as a result ofpressure in the fluid chamber 248 caused by fluid in the fluid flow240). The diaphragm 228 is desirably held in place between the middlebody 220 and the lower body 224, and the tension on the diaphragm isdesirably adjusted via the spring tension cap or adjustment cap 236, thespring 234 and the spring base 230 (which protects the diaphragm fromdirect contact with the spring). The tension adjustments are set to thesystem requirements, and help to provide a generally constant pressureto the upstream side of the fluid flow, which allows the otherdeformable member 238 to operate more effectively in absorbingpulsations and the like. The fluid then exits the device through theoutlet 114. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the flow and pressurestabilization device 200 may further comprise a cover, shield, and/oranti-tamper component 237 coupled to the bottom body 224 to block accessto the adjustment cap 236. This may be desirable in some embodiments,for example, to prevent the adjustment cap 236 from being exposed to theelements and/or to prevent or discourage tampering with or adjustment ofthe adjustment cap 236 after the adjustment cap 236 has been set to thedesired position.

Desirably, the components of the flow and pressure stabilization device200 are constructed from metal, plastic, rubber, and/or other materialsadequate to perform the intended functions. The components of this andother devices disclosed herein can be held together with separatefasteners, clamp bands, welded, cast, threaded together and/or the like.Further, any references herein to directions, such as upper, middle, andlower, are provided with reference to the orientations of the drawingsto aid in understanding of the drawings and description. Thesereferences to directions are not intended to limit the device to beingoperated in only such an orientation. For example, various embodimentsdisclosed herein can be installed in any orientation and still performtheir intended function.

A flow and pressure stabilization device, such as the flow and pressurestabilization device 200 or other embodiments disclosed herein, candesirably be used with a positive displacement pump to dampen pressurepulsations generated by the displacement of the fluid and the openingand closing of pump inlet and discharge check valves. The use of avariable flow rate valve that helps to maintain upstream pressure (e.g.,the variable flow rate valve 252 that comprises the deformable member228, outflow control button 226, and port 250) can improve theeffectiveness of pulsation dampening, especially in low pump headpressure applications. The gas charge pressure in gas chamber 244 shoulddesirably be a fraction of the fluid pressure (typically 80%, but couldbe other percentages) and if the fluid pressure is too low, theresulting gas charge pressure may be too low to be effective. Further,in positive displacement metering pump applications, a variable flowvalve that helps to maintain upstream pressure can also help to closepump check valves and maintain a more constant pressure on hoses, tube,and diaphragms for more uniform deformation—improving dosing accuracy.

One advantage of the design illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2K, and otherembodiments disclosed herein (such as, but not limited to, theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6C), is that the porting geometry forcesthe fluid to pass into the upper chamber 242, and the fluid cannot exitthe upper chamber 242 (or lower chamber 248) through the variable flowvalve 252 (or valve 652) until the pressure in the upper chamber becomeslarge enough to displace the diaphragm 228 of the valve 252. This allowsmore of the pressure pulse to be dampened. This is an advantage over an“appendage” style dampener with a single port to allow fluid to enterand exit the unit, which can allow some pulsations to pass the unitentirely.

Another advantage of the design illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2K, and otherembodiments disclosed herein (such as, but not limited to, theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6C), is that the integrated nature of theunit allows the distance between the upper fluid chamber 242 and thevalve porting or lower fluid chamber 248 to be relatively short,improving pulsation dampening over existing systems. One reason for thisis that many pulsations are transient and high speed/very shortduration. If the upper and lower fluid chambers 242, 248 were separatedby a distance of piping, the pulsation pressure could be high enough toopen the valve 252 (or valve 652) and allow the pulsation to “escape”before the upper deformable member 238 can respond (e.g., by deformingto absorb the pulse). In addition, as mentioned above, it is easier fora pulsation to go past an “appendage” style dampener (especially highspeed/frequency pulsations). In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.2A-2K and 6A-6E, the distance between the upper fluid chamber 242 andvalve porting or lower fluid chamber 248 is defined by the length of thefluid passage 246. Due to the integrated nature of such a design, thisdirect path from the upper chamber 242 to the valve porting or lowerchamber 248 can be relatively short. In some embodiments, it can bedesirable for the fluid passage 246 to have a length within a range of 1inch to 3 inches. In some embodiments, it can be desirable to for thefluid passage 246 to have a length within a range of 1 inch to 2 inches.In some embodiments, it can be desirable for the fluid passage 246 to beno longer than 1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, or 4 inches. In someembodiments, it can be desirable for the length of the fluid passage 246to be less than, or no greater than, an outer diameter of the valvediaphragm 228. In some embodiments, it can be desirable for the lengthof the fluid passage 246 to be less than, or no greater than, an outerdiameter of the housing through which the dampener valve feed linepasses (e.g., middle body 220). In some embodiments, it can be desirablefor the length of the fluid passage 246 to be less than, or no greaterthan, a diameter of the upper fluid chamber 242. In some embodiments itcan be desirable for the length of the fluid passage 246 to be lessthan, or no greater than, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 times a diameter of the upperfluid chamber 242.

Additional advantages of the design illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2K, andother embodiments disclosed herein, are that (1) the integrated natureof the unit allows the upper fluid chamber volume, valve responsiveness,valve flow (Cv), and porting to be optimized, (2) the device can be morecompact and weigh less than other systems, (3) the life of the valvediaphragm may be extended, and (4) fewer leak points/piping junctionsare used than other systems.

With further reference to FIGS. 2A-2K, as discussed above, the flow andpressure stabilization device 200 comprises a variable flow valve 252that comprises an outflow control button 226 (e.g., plunger, needle,bullet, protruding member, and/or the like) positioned through a fluidport 250 and configured to at least partially regulate fluid flowthrough the fluid port 250 by translating with respect to the fluid port250. The operation of the outflow control button 226 can be similar tothe operation of the plunger or button 226 shown in FIG. 7C anddescribed below.

With further reference to FIG. 2C, as the flow 240 enters the devicethrough the inlet 112 of the middle body 220, it enters the upper fluidchamber 242 and contacts the bladder 238. The other side of thediaphragm or bladder 238 is a gas chamber 244 that is charged with gas(typically air or nitrogen) in the top body 222. The gas pressure is setthrough a fill valve 245 so that the pulsations from the pumped fluidcan be absorbed and minimized. Gas pressure charge is desirably set to avalue less than the system pressure, which will allow the device todampen pulsations effectively.

The flow is then directed toward the diaphragm 228 of the variable flowvalve 252, which is held fixed on the outer diameter to the middle body220 and bottom body 224 and is connected in its center to the outflowcontrol button 226 on the fluid side. The button 226 and diaphragm 228move up and down absorbing the flow pulses as the system pressurechanges, and the geometry of the button relative to the opening or fluidport 250 regulates the flow. The plunger desirably only moves up anddown in the outlet port 250 to regulate the flow exiting the devicebased on system pressure. The spring adjustment is accomplished bymoving the adjustment cap 236 up or down depending on the sensitivityrequired by the system. The spring 234 is held between the adjustmentcap 236 and spring base 230, which then applies pressure to the centerof the diaphragm 228.

The gas charge adjustments are set to the system requirements, andprovide a desirable pressure to the bladder 238, while the springadjustments provide varying pressure to the diaphragm 228 and button226, allowing the device to work effectively as the system flow rateschange. The fluid then exits the device through the outlet 114.

In some embodiments, the upper or top body 222 can be referred to as adampener body, and the lower or bottom body 224 can be referred to as avalve body, since, among other things, the deformable member 238adjacent the upper body 222 can perform dampening functions, and thedeformable member 228 adjacent the lower body 224 can perform valvefunctions.

Outflow Control Button

With reference to FIGS. 2E and 2F, the button 226 and fluid port 250 areconfigured to operate cooperatively to vary an effective opening size(e.g., a size of the area through which fluid can flow) of the fluidport 250 based on translation of the button 226 along a central orlongitudinal axis of the fluid port 250. FIG. 2E shows the button 226and diaphragm 228 in a partially opened position, meaning at least somefluid can flow through a clearance between the button 226 and fluid port250. In some embodiments, the assembly can be configured to have a fullyclosed position, such as wherein a base or end face 254 of the fluidport 250 (e.g., an annular shaped opening) is closed off by an annularlaterally extending base portion 255 of the control button 226 beingabutted thereagainst, thus allowing no fluid flow through the fluid port250. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 228 may be configured to contactthe end face 254 of the fluid port 250, instead of an annular laterallyextending base portion 255 of the control button 226. In someembodiments, a fully closed position can comprise outer surface 262 ofthe button 226 (shown in FIG. 2F) being in contact with an inner surfaceof the port 250. In some embodiments, the assembly can be configured tonot have a fully closed position, thus always having at least someclearance between the button 226 and port 250. In an embodiment thatcomprises a fully closed position, as fluid pressure increases on thediaphragm 228, the diaphragm 228 and button 226 will be caused totranslate away from the end face 254 of the fluid port 250, thus openingthe fluid port 250 for fluid to pass therethrough.

The effective opening size of the fluid port 250 (e.g., thecross-sectional area available for fluid to pass therethrough) will becontrolled by the diameter D of the fluid port 250 and the outer profileof the button 226. In a design as shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, where theouter profile of the button 226 continuously decreases in width frombase 256 to tip 258, the effective opening size of the fluid port 250will be controlled by the portion of the button 226 that is presently ator adjacent the base or end face 254 of the fluid port 250. Someembodiments of buttons 226, however, may have different outer profileshapes (e.g., a reverse taper, a non-tapered section, and/or the like)that cause the effective opening size of the fluid port 250 to belimited at an area not at or adjacent the base or end face 254 of thefluid port 250.

FIGS. 2G-2I illustrate an example of how the effective opening size ofthe fluid port 250 can be changed when the outflow control button 226translates with respect to the port 250. In each of these figures, asimplified (and not necessarily to scale) view of the assembly as viewedalong the longitudinal axis at the end face 254 is shown by an outercircle that represents the inner diameter of the port 250 and an innercircle that represents the outer diameter of the outflow control button226 at the opening or interface 254 into the port 250. The hatched areabetween these two circles indicates the effective cross-sectional areaof the port 250. FIG. 2G illustrates an example of the port in analmost-closed position, such as is shown in FIG. 2E. FIG. 2H illustratesan example where the outflow control button 226 has been caused totranslate away from the end face 254 of the port 250, such as, as aresult of fluid pressure on the diaphragm 228. It can be seen that, ascompared to FIG. 2G, the cross-sectional area of the port 250 has beenincreased. FIG. 2I illustrates an example where the outflow controlbutton 226 has been caused to translate even further away from the endface 254 of the port 250. It can be seen that, as compared to FIG. 2H,the cross-sectional area of the port 250 has been increased further.Such a design can be desirable, because, among other things, the flowthrough the flow and pressure stabilization device can be moreconsistent, because the effective opening size of the port 250 canrespond to the pressure in the device, making the effective opening sizelarger or smaller on demand.

Further, the tapered profile of the outflow control button 226 can haveother benefits in addition to varying the effective opening size of theport 250. For example, the tapered shape can help to reduce turbulencein the flow through the port 250 and out of the device through outlet114, thus further stabilizing the fluid flow in the system.

Returning to FIGS. 2E and 2F, the dimensions and/or shapes of the fluidport 250 and profile of the button 226 define the relationship betweentranslation of the button 226 and effective opening size of the fluidport 250. For example, with reference to FIG. 2F, the current embodimentof a button 226 comprises a rounded tip 258, a first tapered section260, and a second tapered section 262. In this embodiment, the taper ofthe first tapered section 260 is defined by angle A1 and length L1, andthe taper of the second tapered section 262 is defined by angle A2 andlength L2. These dimensions can be varied to tune the button 226 to aparticular application. In the present embodiment, however, the firsttapered section 260 comprises a length L1 of approximately 0.3 inches,and a taper angle A1 of approximately 24 degrees. The diameter of thefirst tapered section 260 starts at approximately 0.294 inches and endsat approximately 0.168 inches. The second tapered section 262 comprisesa length L2 of approximately 0.2 inches, and a taper angle A2 ofapproximately 6 degrees. The diameter of the second tapered section 262starts at approximately 0.313 inches and ends at approximately 0.294inches (at the junction between the first and second tapered sections260, 262). In this embodiment, the button 226 is configured to fit intofluid port 250 having a diameter D of approximately 0.313 inches. One ofskill in the art will recognize that this is merely one example, andother embodiments may use different dimensions to tune the device todifferent operating parameters. For example, in some embodiments, thetaper angles A1 and A2 may be within a range of 0 to 45 degrees.Further, the lengths and/or diameters may be different, a differentnumber of tapered sections may be used, different methods of changingthe flow area may be used (e.g., flats, slots, rounded areas, ports,holes, orifices, fluid passages, steps, and/or the like), more than oneflow restrictor may be used, and/or the like.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2E and 2F, as the button 226translates away from the end face 254 of the fluid port 250, the secondtapered section 262 will be the primary controlling factor for theeffective size of the fluid port opening 250. As the button 226continues to translate further away from the end face 254, and thesecond tapered section 262 passes the end face 254 (e.g., the button 226translates a distance greater than L2), the first tapered section 260will primarily define the effective opening size of the fluid port 250.In this embodiment, angle A2 is smaller than angle A1, and thustranslation of the button 226 when the second tapered section 262 iscontrolling will result in less adjustment to the effective opening sizeof the fluid port 250 than the same amount of translation of the button226 when the first tapered section 260 is controlling. One of skill inthe art will recognize that, although this description is givenprimarily in terms of the tapered section being immediately adjacent tothe base or end face 254 as being controlling, the remainder of theprofile of the bullet or button 226 can also have some effect on fluidflow, particularly in instances of relatively fast flow and/orrelatively high frequency pulses or changes in fluid flow.

Desirably, the components of the flow and pressure stabilization device200 are constructed from metal, plastic, rubber, and/or other materialsadequate to perform the intended functions. The components of the devicecan be held together with separate fasteners, clamp bands, welded, cast,threaded together and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the techniques disclosed herein relating to flowrestrictors (for example, utilizing an outflow control button coupled toa diaphragm to control flow through a fluid port) may be utilized in astandalone valve unit that does not include an additional deformablemember (such as a bladder) to perform separate pulsation dampeningfunctionality. For example, one embodiment may be similar to the device200 of FIGS. 2A-2K, but be configured to not include the top body 222 orbladder 238, with corresponding changes to the middle body 220 beingmade so that the inlet 112 leads directly to the fluid chamber 248adjacent the diaphragm 228.

Test Results of a Flow and Pressure Stabilization System

The embodiments disclosed herein comprise various features that canprovide benefits such as reducing and/or absorbing pulsations in fluidflow, maintaining upstream pressure, and/or increasing linearity of adownstream flow. As one example of such benefits, FIG. 3 illustrates achart showing test results of an embodiment of a fluid flow and pressurestabilization system as disclosed herein. In this test, a fluid flow andpressure stabilization device similar to the device 200 shown in FIGS.2A-2D (described above) was tested with a metering pump that comprisesan output having significant pulsations. The chart graphs flow rate incubic inches per second versus time in seconds. With reference to theexample system shown in FIG. 1, the measured flow rate would correspondto the flow rate in the piping between outlet 114 and injection point116.

The chart illustrates testing of three potential methods of smoothingout the flow rate. First, as illustrated by line 301, a diaphragm-typeback pressure valve was placed downstream of the pump output (e.g., inplace of the device 100 of FIG. 1). As can be seen in the chart, therewere relatively large spikes in flow rate in response to pulsationsoutput from the pump. Second, as illustrated by line 302, adiaphragm-type back pressure valve was placed downstream of the pumpoutput (e.g., in place of the device 100 of FIG. 1), and a pulsationdampener was placed between the back pressure valve and the pump output.In this test, the flow rate was substantially smoothed out with respectto the back pressure valve alone, but there were still significant peaksand valleys in the flow rate, as caused by the pulsations in the pumpoutput. Finally, a fluid flow and pressure stabilization device similarto the device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D was placed downstream ofthe metering pump output (e.g., the device 100 of FIG. 1). The resultsof that configuration are shown by line 303. As can be seen in thechart, the peaks and valleys in the flow rate are almost eliminated,leading to a much more stable or linear flow.

Additional Flow Restrictor Embodiments

As mentioned above, various configurations of flow restrictors (e.g.,outflow control buttons, plungers, pins, needles, and/or the like) andfluid ports may be used to tune a device to a particular situation. Flowrestrictors may use various features to vary the flow area and/orrestriction to fluid flow based on a relative position of the flowrestrictor to the fluid port. For example, a flow restrictor may in someembodiments comprise an outer profile or surface that comprises one ormore of a taper, rounded portion, flat, slot, groove, radiused area,hole or orifice that leads to a fluid flow passage, stepped area,chamfer, and/or the like.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two additional example embodiments of outflowcontrol buttons 426, 427 (e.g., flow restrictors) that could be used totune the operation of a device to a particular situation. With referenceto FIG. 4A, the outflow control button 426 is similar in design to theoutflow control button 226 of FIG. 2F. The outflow control button 426,however, adds a third section that is not tapered. In this embodiment,the outflow control button 426 comprises a rounded tip 258, a firstsection 260 having taper angle A1 and length L1, a second section 262having no taper angle and a length L2, and a third section 264 havingtaper angle A2 and a length L3. Such a design may be desirable, forexample, in a situation where it is desirable to have little or nochange in the effective flow area of the fluid port in response to acertain amount of increase in pressure on the diaphragm.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the outflow control button 427 is similar tothe outflow control button 426 of FIG. 4A. A difference, however, isthat the second section 262 comprises a reverse taper having angle A4instead of a non-tapered section. Such a configuration may be desirable,for example, in a situation where it is desirable to reduce theeffective opening size of the fluid port for a particular range oftranslation of the button 427 and/or to tune the flow of fluid past thebutton 427.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate another embodiment of a flow restrictor 526(e.g., a flow control button, pin, needle, plunger, and/or the like).Instead of comprising a tapered outer profile, the flow restrictor 526comprises a shaft 512 of desirably constant outer diameter, and aplurality of slots or grooves 514 passing through the outer surface ofthe shaft 512. As can be seen in the cross section view of FIG. 5D, theplurality of slots or grooves 514 comprise a curved, tapered, and/orvarying shaped base that results in different slot depths along thelength of the shaft 512. This can allow the effective flow area to bevaried when the flow restrictor 526 translates with respect to a fluidport, and thus allow for more or less flow depending on the pressure offluid in the line. Such a design can also allow restrictions of flowduring high pressure instances. Further, with reference to the side viewof FIG. 5C, a transverse width of the slots or grooves 514 can varyalong the length of the flow restrictor 526, also contributing tovariances in flow area when the flow restrictor 526 translates withrespect to a fluid port.

In some embodiments, it can be desirable to have an outermost surface orshaft (for example, shaft 512) of a constant diameter, as opposed to atapered, stepped, and/or the like outer profile. The constant diametershaft 512 can help to guide the flow restrictor 526 in the fluid port(e.g., port 250 of FIG. 2E) as the flow restrictor 526 translates backand forth. This can, for example, eliminate or reduce potential cockingand/or undesirable motion in a transverse direction of the flowrestrictor with respect to the fluid port.

As mentioned above, the embodiments of flow restrictors described hereinand shown in the figures are merely some example embodiments of flowrestrictors that could be used with the techniques disclosed herein.Other embodiments of flow restrictors may comprise one or more ofstepped shapes, radiused areas, tapered areas, grooves, slots, holes,orifices, fluid passages through the flow restrictor, chamfers, helicalshaped grooves, and/or the like. Further, in some embodiments, the shapeof the fluid port that the flow restrictor engages may be other thancircular or cylindrical. For example, the fluid port may comprise ashape that is tapered, stepped, radiused, curved, irregular, chamfered,and/or the like. Further, in some embodiments, more than one flowrestrictor may be used in the same device. For example, two flowrestrictors may be used with different fluid ports, with one flowrestrictor being tuned to make fine adjustments to the flow and anotherflow restrictor being tuned to make more coarse adjustments to the flow.Such a configuration may, for example, enable a single device asdisclosed herein to operate more effectively across a broader range ofoperating parameters and/or to more effectively control the flow.

Various other shapes and sizes of outflow control buttons and/or fluidcontrol ports may be used that enable varying the effective fluid portopening size in response to translation of the diaphragm and/or button.Various shapes and sizes may be used for particular situations based on,for example, the expected fluid pressures, flow rates, pulsationfrequencies, and/or the like. Further, a plurality of outflow controlbuttons of different shapes, sizes, and/or configurations may bedesigned to be interchangeable to work with the same flow and pressurestabilization device, to enable tuning of the flow and pressurestabilization device to a particular set of circumstances. In someembodiments, an outflow control button coupled to a diaphragm, such asthe assembly shown in FIG. 2J, may be an interchangeable standaloneassembly that can be swapped out in a flow and pressure stabilizationdevice, to relatively easily tune the device to a particularapplication.

Adjusting the dimensions of the fluid outflow control buttons and/orvarious other parameters of a device as disclosed herein can bedesirable to tune a device to a particular set of conditions. Otherfeatures that may be adjusted to tune a device may include, but are notlimited to, diaphragm compliance, spring rate and/or preload pressure ofthe spring or gas that is preloading the diaphragm and/or outflowcontrol button, pulsation dampener diaphragm gas pressure, volumes ofvarious chambers of the device, passage and/or orifice opening sizes,and/or the like. Such tuning can be desirable to enable the backpressure valve and dampener functions to work more effectively togetheras a system. In some embodiments, it is desirable to tune the system tohave as linear flow output as possible. For example, such a flow candesirably comprise a relatively constant flow rate, with removal of anypressure pulses output by the pump.

Additional Flow and Pressure Stabilization Device Embodiment

FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate another embodiment of a flow and pressurestabilization device 600. This embodiment comprises a housing havinghoused therein components for performing pulsation dampening andcontrolling fluid pressure. This embodiment is similar to the flow andpressure stabilization device 100, with one difference being that thedevice 600 does not include an outflow control button attached to thediaphragm 228.

With reference to FIGS. 6C and 6E, the housing comprises a lower body224, a middle body 220, and an upper body 222 (although otherarrangements are possible). In operation, as the flow (illustrated byflow path 240) enters the device through the inlet 112 of the middlebody 220, it enters on the upper fluid chamber 242 in the upper body222. The chamber is separated into two sections by means of a deformableseparator 238 (e.g., diaphragm, bladder, bellows, membrane, and/or thelike) that is charged with gas (typically air or nitrogen) in the gaschamber 244 side. The gas pressure is set through a fill valve 245(shown in FIG. 6E) so that the pulsations from the pumped fluid can beabsorbed and minimized. Gas pressure charge is desirably set to a valueless than the system pressure, which will allow the device to dampenpulsations effectively.

The flow then passes through the fluid passage or line 246 and into thelower fluid chamber 248 and contacts the valve 652, which comprises adiaphragm 228 held against a port 250 until a pressure in the lowerfluid chamber 248 is sufficient to open the valve (e.g., to move aportion of the diaphragm 228 away from the port 250). The diaphragm 228is held in place between the middle body 220 and the lower body 224, andthe tension on the diaphragm is adjusted via the spring tension cap 236,the spring 234 and the spring base 230 which protects the diaphragm fromthe spring and/or provides a more consistent contact area for thediaphragm. The tension adjustments are set to the system requirements,and desirably provide a generally constant pressure to the upstream sideof the device 600, which allows the bladder 238 to work more effectivelyto absorb pulsations. The fluid then exits the device through the outlet114.

Desirably, the components of the flow and pressure stabilization device600 are constructed from metal, plastic, rubber, and/or other materialsadequate to perform the intended functions. The components of this andother devices disclosed herein can be held together with separatefasteners, clamp bands, welded, cast, threaded together and/or the like.

A flow and pressure stabilization device, such as the flow and pressurestabilization device 600 or other embodiments disclosed herein, candesirably be used with a positive displacement pump to dampen pressurepulsations generated by the displacement of the fluid and the openingand closing of pump inlet and discharge check valves. The use of a valvethat helps to maintain upstream pressure (e.g., the valve 652) canimprove the effectiveness of pulsation dampening, especially in low pumphead pressure applications. The dampener gas charge pressure shoulddesirably be a fraction of the fluid pressure (typically 80%, but couldbe other percentages) and if the fluid pressure is too low, theresulting dampener charge pressure is too low to be effective. Further,in positive displacement metering pump applications, a valve that helpsto maintain upstream pressure can also help to close pump check valvesand maintain a more constant pressure on hoses, tube, and diaphragms formore uniform deformation—improving dosing accuracy. In some embodiments,a flow and pressure stabilization device comprises a pulsation dampenerand a backpressure valve connected in series within a single housing.

Additional Flow and Pressure Stabilization Device Embodiment

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate another embodiment of a flow and pressurestabilization device 700. The flow and pressure stabilization device 700comprises a housing having housed therein components that performpulsation dampening functions and fluid pressure and/or flow controlfunctions (e.g., help to maintain upstream fluid pressure and/or createmore linear downstream pressure). The flow and pressure stabilizationdevice 700 is similar in many respects to the flow and pressurestabilization devices 100, 200, and 600 described above. One differencein the flow and pressure stabilization device 700, however, is that thedevice comprises a single fluid chamber 742 instead of separate upperand lower fluid chambers connected by a fluid passage. As discussedabove, it can be desirable to have a relatively small distance (e.g.,the length of fluid passage 246) between the upper fluid chamber thatcomprises an upper diaphragm or bladder and the lower fluid chamber thatcomprises a valve or variable flow valve. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 7C, the fluid passage 246 has been eliminated, thus minimizingthe distance. The flow and pressure control device 700 still comprises adeformable member 738 (e.g., diaphragm, bladder, and/or the like) forabsorption of pulses and a variable flow valve 752 for maintaining amore consistent pressure. For example, the deformable member 738 shownin FIG. 7C can perform similar functions to the deformable members 238and 228 in FIGS. 2C and 6C. Further, the variable flow valve 752 canperform similar functions to the variable flow valve 252 of FIG. 2C.

As further described below, the flow and pressure stabilization device700 can have more than one configuration, including a configuration thatpreloads the plunger 226 (e.g., outflow control button, restrictor,bullet, needle, protruding member, and/or the like) with a gas pressurein gas chamber 244, a configuration that preloads the plunger 226 with apressure from a spring 234, and a configuration that preloads theplunger 226 with both the gas pressure in the gas chamber 244 and thepressure from the spring 234.

With reference to FIG. 7C, the housing comprises a top body 222 and abottom body 220. As the flow (illustrated by flow path 240) enters thedevice through the inlet 112 of the bottom body 220, it enters the fluidchamber 742 and contacts the diaphragm, bladder, or deformable member738. The other side of the diaphragm 738 is a gas chamber 244 that ischarged with gas (such as air or nitrogen) in the top body 222. The gaspressure is set through a fill valve 245 so that the pulsations from thepumped fluid can be absorbed and minimized. Gas pressure charge isdesirably set to a value less than the system pressure, which will allowthe device to dampen pulsations effectively.

The diaphragm 738 is connected in its center to a plunger (e.g., button,needle, protruding member, bullet, pin, flow restrictor, and/or thelike) 226 on the fluid side. A deformable area 739 of the diaphragm 738that is located between the plunger 226 and an outer diameter of thediaphragm 738 (e.g., a rib, bulge, protruding portion, bellow portion,and/or the like) desirably moves up and down absorbing system pulseswithout moving the plunger 226, unless the system pressure changes. Theplunger 226 desirably only moves up and down in the outlet port or fluidport 250 to regulate the flow exiting the device through outlet 114based on system pressure. In some embodiments, the spring 234 is notincluded, and thus the gas charge setting will position the diaphragm738 and plunger 226 during operation to provide the necessary adjustmenton the diaphragm to provide back pressure upstream of the device and onthe diaphragm. The gas charge adjustments are set to the systemrequirements, and provide a desirable pressure to the outer, curved part739 of the diaphragm, which allows the pulsations to be dampened.

In some embodiments, an annulus, annular groove, or recess 770 can beincluded, and can provide various benefits. For example, when thevariable flow valve 752 is open, fluid flows from inlet 112 through thefluid chamber 742 and exits through the fluid port 250 and outlet 114.Fluid will tend to flow directly from the inlet 112 to the side orportion of fluid port 250 that is closest to the inlet 112. To desirablyoptimize flow and take full advantage of the cross sectional areabetween fluid port 250 and outflow control button 226, the annulus 770allows fluid to flow (or more fluid to flow) fully around the peripheryof fluid port 250 and enter the port from all sides. This feature canimprove valve performance and also reduce or minimize erosion that canoccur on the housing due to flowing fluid. This can also improve thepressure distribution of the fluid against the deformable area 739 ofthe diaphragm 738 to improve dampening effectiveness. The annulus 770may comprise different depths and/or shapes in various embodiments, andsome embodiments may not include such an annulus.

In an embodiment that includes the spring 234, the spring 234 provides apreload to the plunger 226, but the gas in the gas chamber 244 stillpressurizes the deformable area 739 of the diaphragm 738 to provide orenhance pulsation dampening. The gas in the gas chamber 244 may in someembodiments also contribute at least partially to the preload force onthe plunger 226. As the flow enters the device through the inlet 112 ofthe bottom body 220, it enters the fluid chamber 742 and contacts thediaphragm 738. The other side of the diaphragm is a gas chamber oftrapped air in the top body 222. The diaphragm 738 is connected in itscenter to a connector 772 on the gas side and a plunger 226 on the fluidside. The connector 772 is attached to the spring base 230, which isguided by a spring 234, which is tensioned via a spring tension cap 236.In some embodiments, the connector 772 is integral to the plunger 226.In some embodiments, the connector 772 is a separate piece from theplunger 226. The tension pressure is set through the spring tension cap236, so that the pulsations from the pumped fluid can be absorbed andminimized. Tension pressure is desirably set so that it will allow flowthrough the device to a value less than the system pressure.

The rib 739 between the center section and outer diameter of thediaphragm 738 desirably moves up and down absorbing system pulseswithout moving the plunger 226, unless the system pressure changes. Theplunger 226 desirably only moves up and down in the outlet port 250 toregulate the flow exiting the device through outlet 114 based on systempressure. The tension setting will position the diaphragm 738 andplunger 226 during operation to provide the necessary adjustment on thediaphragm to provide back pressure upstream of the device and on thediaphragm. Accordingly, the gas charge and tension adjustments are setto the system requirements, providing for a desirable pressure to theouter, curved part of the diaphragm 739, which allows the pulsations tobe dampened, and allows the plunger 226 to move up and down in theoutlet port 250 to regulate the flow exiting the device.

In some embodiments, an annulus, annular groove, or recess 770 can beincluded, and can provide various benefits. For example, when thevariable flow valve 752 is open, fluid flows from inlet 112 through thefluid chamber 742 and exits through the fluid port 250 and outlet 114.Fluid will tend to flow directly from the inlet 112 to the side orportion of fluid port 250 that is closest to the inlet 112. To desirablyoptimize flow and take full advantage of the cross sectional areabetween fluid port 250 and outflow control button 226, the annulus 770allows fluid to flow (or more fluid to flow) fully around the peripheryof fluid port 250 and enter the port from all sides. This feature canimprove valve performance and also reduce or minimize erosion that canoccur on the housing due to flowing fluid. This can also improve thepressure distribution of the fluid against the deformable area 739 ofthe diaphragm 738 to improve dampening effectiveness. The annulus 770may comprise different depths and/or shapes in various embodiments, andsome embodiments may not include such an annulus.

Desirably, the components of the flow and pressure stabilization device700 are constructed from metal, plastic, rubber, and/or other materialsadequate to perform the intended functions. The components of the devicecan be held together with separate fasteners, clamp bands, welded, cast,threaded together and/or the like.

Although the flow and pressure stabilization device 700 has beendescribed as having at least two alternative embodiments, one thatincludes the spring 234 and one that does not include the spring 234, itcan be desirable to include the spring 234. One reason it can bedesirable to include the spring 234 along with the pressurized gas inchamber 244 is that the pressure required in gas chamber 244 toeffectively absorb pulsations using the deformable area 739 of thedeformable number 738 may be a different pressure than would be mostdesirable to control the up and down or translating motion of theoutflow control button 226 with respect to the port 250. Further, evenin a case where an optimum pressure can be achieved in gas chamber 244that adequately controls both the deformable area 739 and thetranslating motion of the outflow control button 226, it may bedesirable to have separate adjustability to the pressure or forceapplied to the deformable area 739 and to outflow control button 226, toaccommodate changes in an application and/or to accommodate use of thedevice 700 in different applications.

The design of the flow and pressure stabilization device 700, andparticularly the plunger, button, bullet, or the like 226 attached tothe valve diaphragm 738, can be desirable for various reasons. Forexample, the geometry of the button 226 (e.g., the outer profile beingat least partially tapered, similar to other outflow control buttondesigns disclosed herein) allows the Cv of the valve to be bettercontrolled/more linear, effectively reducing the ability of the valve tomaintain a constant backpressure, but providing a more linear downstreamflow and pressure while increased upstream pressure variation allows thepulsation dampening features to be more effective.

In a metering pump application, one difficulty is that most meteringpumps produce pulsating flow. The flow and pressure stabilization device700, and other embodiments disclosed herein, can help to generate moreuniform or linear flow downstream than is output by such a meteringpump. With the features of these designs, including the plunger 226described above, the system can, in some embodiments, provide morelinear flow and pressure downstream of the valve (where it is needed) atthe expense of greater flow and pressure variations upstream of thevalve.

Some advantages of the flow and pressure stabilization device 700 (andother embodiments including an outflow control button or plunger)include (1) more linear flow is produced downstream of the valve, (2)can be tuned to specific process conditions by, among other things,adjusting the geometry of the plunger/button, and (3) can even be tunedin the field by, for example, having a series of replaceableplungers/buttons of different geometry that are interchangeable in onehousing to match the device to multiple process conditions. In someembodiments, the replaceable plungers/buttons are provided as a plungerand diaphragm assembly, similar to as shown in FIG. 2J. This may bedesirable if, for example, the plunger is intended to be permanentlyaffixed to the diaphragm and/or to reduce the chance of a technician inthe field damaging a diaphragm while trying to replace the buttonaffixed to a particular diaphragm. One counterintuitive advantage of theflow and pressure stabilization device 700 (and other embodiments thatinclude an outflow control button or plunger) is that, by increasing theflow and pressure pulsations upstream of the valve, the downstream flowand pressure is made more linear. For example, by combining an outflowcontrol button with the diaphragm, the additional restriction in flowcaused by the outflow control button will cause the upstream pressure toincrease more than the upstream pressure would without an outflowcontrol button (e.g., if just the diaphragm were used). This additionalpressure acts against the charge gas in the gas chamber adjacent thebladder, leading to additional dampening in the fluid. In part, thisadditional dampening can provide smoother downstream flow. In addition,this additional pressure can be prevented, by the flow restriction ofthe outflow control button, from going downstream where it coulddecrease downstream flow and pressure consistency and/or linearity.Another benefit of the embodiments disclosed herein that include anoutflow control button is that they may desirably experience little orno valve chatter in operation. Valve chatter can occur in a situationwhere a valve allows excessive flow relative to the system requirements.In such a situation, the valve can open and close rapidly, or flutter,instead of opening once per pump stroke. An outflow control button asdisclosed herein can allow for more fine control over the flow throughthe valve, thus reducing or eliminating such chatter. Another way todescribe such a situation is that, if you consider a valve to be afeedback and control mechanism, chatter can be referred to as dynamicinstability in the control loop caused by excessive gain. When anoutflow control button helps to restrict the fluid flow, however, iteffectively reduces the gain in the system, thus reducing or eliminatingvalve chatter.

Various other modifications, adaptations, and alternative designs are ofcourse possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should beunderstood at this time that within the scope of the appended claims theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinationsof the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed abovemay be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions.Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect,method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or thelike in connection with an embodiment can be used in all otherembodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood thatvarious features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can becombined with or substituted for one another in order to form varyingmodes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scopeof the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by theparticular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while theinvention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternativeforms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and areherein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methodsdisclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims.Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Theheadings used herein are for the convenience of the reader only and arenot meant to limit the scope of the inventions or claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow and pressure stabilization device comprising: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a first fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a gas chamber within the housing; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface, the outflow control button being translatable with respect to the fluid port, wherein the diaphragm of the variable flow valve is configured such that an increase in pressure within the second fluid chamber can cause the diaphragm to deform and the outflow control button to translate with respect to the fluid port, causing a clearance between the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port to change, wherein the housing comprises a first end and a second end, the second end being opposite the first end, wherein the bladder is positioned such that an increase in pressure in the first fluid chamber will tend to cause the bladder to deform toward the first end, and wherein the diaphragm is positioned such than an increase in pressure in the second fluid chamber will tend to cause the diaphragm to deform toward the second end.
 2. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the bladder and the diaphragm are concentrically aligned along a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 3. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button is an outer surface of the outflow control button.
 4. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the outflow control button comprises a cylindrical outer surface, and the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button is within a groove of the outflow control button.
 5. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage comprises a length that is no greater than an outer diameter of the housing.
 6. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage comprises a length that is no greater than a diameter of the first fluid chamber.
 7. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the fluid passage comprises a length that is no greater than two times a diameter of the first fluid chamber.
 8. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the variable flow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein a laterally extending annular surface of the outflow control button is in contact with an annular shaped face of the fluid port.
 9. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the variable flow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein the diaphragm is in contact with an annular shaped face of the fluid port.
 10. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 1, wherein the variable flow valve further comprises a spring configured to bias the diaphragm toward the fluid port.
 11. A flow and pressure stabilization device comprising: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a first fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a gas chamber within the housing; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface, the outflow control button being translatable with respect to the fluid port, wherein the diaphragm of the variable flow valve is configured such that an increase in pressure within the second fluid chamber can cause the diaphragm to deform and the outflow control button to translate with respect to the fluid port, causing a clearance between the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port to change, and wherein the outflow control button comprises a cylindrical outer surface, and the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button is within a groove of the outflow control button.
 12. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 11, wherein the bladder and the diaphragm are concentrically aligned along a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 13. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 11, wherein the variable flow valve further comprises a spring configured to bias the diaphragm toward the fluid port.
 14. A flow and pressure stabilization device comprising: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a first fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a gas chamber within the housing; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface, the outflow control button being translatable with respect to the fluid port, wherein the diaphragm of the variable flow valve is configured such that an increase in pressure within the second fluid chamber can cause the diaphragm to deform and the outflow control button to translate with respect to the fluid port, causing a clearance between the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port to change, and wherein the variable flow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein a laterally extending annular surface of the outflow control button is in contact with an annular shaped face of the fluid port.
 15. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 14, wherein the bladder and the diaphragm are concentrically aligned along a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 16. A flow and pressure stabilization device comprising: a housing comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a first fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a gas chamber within the housing; a deformable bladder that separates the first fluid chamber from the gas chamber and at least partially defines a volume of the first fluid chamber; a second fluid chamber within the housing and in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber via a fluid passage; and a variable flow valve in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and the second fluid chamber, the variable flow valve comprising: a fluid port in fluid communication with the fluid outlet; a deformable diaphragm positioned adjacent the fluid port, the diaphragm at least partially defining a volume of the second fluid chamber; and an outflow control button coupled to the diaphragm and extending at least partially into the fluid port, the outflow control button comprising an at least partially tapered surface, the outflow control button being translatable with respect to the fluid port, wherein the diaphragm of the variable flow valve is configured such that an increase in pressure within the second fluid chamber can cause the diaphragm to deform and the outflow control button to translate with respect to the fluid port, causing a clearance between the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port to change, and wherein the variable flow valve comprises a closed configuration wherein the diaphragm is in contact with an annular shaped face of the fluid port.
 17. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 16, wherein the bladder and the diaphragm are concentrically aligned along a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 18. The flow and pressure stabilization device of claim 16, wherein the variable flow valve further comprises a spring configured to bias the diaphragm toward the fluid port.
 19. An interchangeable outflow control button assembly for use in a flow and pressure stabilization device, the outflow control button assembly comprising: a diaphragm comprising a resilient material, the diaphragm comprising a deformable central portion and an annular sealing portion, the annular sealing portion extending about a periphery of the diaphragm and defining a transverse plane; and an outflow control button coupled to and extending from a center of the deformable central portion of the diaphragm, the outflow control button comprising a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to the transverse plane, wherein the outflow control button comprises an at least partially tapered surface, wherein the diaphragm and outflow control button are sized and shaped to be installable into a valve housing comprising a diaphragm seat and a fluid port, the outflow control button configured to be positioned at least partially through the fluid port and to be translatable with respect to the fluid port to change an amount of clearance between the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button and an inner surface of the fluid port, and wherein the outflow control button comprises a cylindrical outer surface, and the at least partially tapered surface of the outflow control button is within a groove of the outflow control button.
 20. The interchangeable outflow control button assembly of claim 19, wherein the outflow control button comprises a base having a laterally extending annular shaped portion shaped to abut a face of the fluid port in a closed position. 